India’s seafood processors will battle for national recognition in the finale of the country’s first-ever National Skill Olympiad, an initiative aimed at elevating industry standards in seafood value addition and building a robust, trained workforce.
Organised by the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), the Olympiad finale on 1 July will be the highlight of Seafood Expo Bharat (SEB) 2025, taking place in Chennai.
The event follows regional qualifying rounds in Kochi and Visakhapatnam, with 10 semi-finalists from India’s east and west coasts narrowing down to four finalists during a semi-final round on 30 June.
“The unique event, which is in tune with the Centre’s Viksit Bharat 2047, supports the goals of Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana by promoting industry-relevant skills, recognising trained seafood workers and enhancing employability in the seafood sector,” said MPEDA chair Shri D V Swamy.
He added that the Olympiad is expected to become an annual feature to position India as a global hub for value-added seafood exports.
Winners will receive cash prizes ranging from Rs1,00,000 to Rs25,000 (€1,000 to €250). Their prepared products will be showcased during SEB 2025, with a tasting session scheduled at the dedicated Skill Olympiad pavilion. Over 3,000 delegates, including exporters, buyers and officials, will attend the Expo, which also features more than 116 exhibition stalls.
India currently exports seafood worth US$7.44 billion (€6.35 billion), with value-added products accounting for 10%. The country aims to double this to 20% by 2030.
